Resources Minister Keith Pitt,who has refused to say if he accepts climate science,has strongly backed the continued growth of Australia’s oil and gas production.
The federal government will spend up to $325 million on the next step to decommission the failed Northern Endeavour oil vessel,but the offshore oil and gas industry will foot the entire bill for this and similar incidents in the future.
Australia promised Ukraine 70,000 tonnes of coal to help address its energy crisis but the logistics of how to ship it there are proving complex.
Resources minister Keith Pitt wants the offshore environment regulator to ignore the oil and gas sector’s massive indirect emissions but consider its economic benefits,possibly opening its decisions to legal challenge.
One of the most controversial proposed gas developments in Australia,adjacent to NSW’s pristine beaches,has created a rift within the Coalition.
While world leaders gather for climate talks in Glasgow,a Sydney trial has heard a plan to frack in the Northern Territory would drive Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions up.
A website purporting to represent people from the Northern Territory who support fracking was registered by a former Liberal staffer in Sydney.
The Nationals have already rejected a higher emissions target for 2030 and are holding out on the 2050 goal even though the policy has a majority in federal cabinet and support from Liberals.
The future of regional-based fossil fuel exports is grim according to the RBA,creating headaches for the Nationals.
David Littleproud has played down the prospect of major cuts to emissions from farming programs in an upcoming climate plan,declaring other industries must do more.
Darren Chester’s decision to walk away from the Nationals party room shows the depth of division in the Coalition’s junior partner on many issues.